Niklas Swanström was interviewed by SvD on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her government being set to expand the military and cut taxes

February 16, 2026: Niklas Swanström, ISDP’s Executive Director, was interviewed by SvD on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the government being set to expand the military and cut taxes amid growing tensions with China and North Korea.

Niklas Swanström says that Takaichi now has a “huge opportunity to change Japan’s future.” Trump’s support could mean that the president will continue to demand that Japan upgrade its military capabilities. Swanström gives the navy as an example.

“It has been greatly strengthened and is one of the most capable navies in the world. And with Trump’s pressure, I think a fairly significant upgrade is in store.”

Read the article here (in Swedish).